Nepal Tourism Mart 2020 in September

House of Rajkarnicar is organising Nepal Travellers Mart 2020 on September 17-19 at Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu as a way to keep the spirit of Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) alive and also as way to offer a strategic solution to the devastation of inbound tourism of Nepal caused by the Covid-19 pandemic through-out the entire world.
It is time the Nepal travel industry recognise the potential of Nepali travellers and begin to cultivate the domestic travel market through targeted marketing and product development, it said in a press note issued here today. “Nepali tourists and travellers offer a better potential to Nepal’s tourism industry than it is ready to acknowledge or act upon lately,” the press note reads, adding that Nepali travellers estimated to be 4 to 5 times more than foreign travellers …. growing faster than foreign travelers. “Nepali travellers contribute to 54 per cent of Nepal’s international air traffic …… make up 65 per cent of yearly tourism revenue, if the statistics cannot be trusted, one can feel the overwhelming presence of domestic tourists anywhere one goes in Nepal ………….airports and airplanes, bus terminals and coaches, hotels and lodges, bars and restaurants, Lumbini Peace Garden, bungy jump line, trekking, rafting, para-gliding, mountain biking and motor-biking.”
Likewise, one can spot Nepalis travelling to every part of the world ….from the temples of India, beaches of Bali, shopping in Thailand to American theme parks, it adds.
Nepal as a tourism market has been neglected or forgotten for a very long time. Tourism infrastructure like airports, aircrafts, roads and other facilities have always been planned and developed keeping the foreign tourists and travellers in mind. “It is time the Nepal’s tourism industry stop taking Nepalis for granted and start offering holidays and hospitality tailored to Nepalis preferences,” the press note reads, adding that it is time to knock on the doors of Nepali homes and businesses expand Nepali tourism sector. “Nepal Travellers Mart 2020 will be a good starting point to market and cater to no-longer obscure Nepali traveler.”
The NTM 2020 expects to usher in about 50,000 Nepalis and expatriates, which would include Nepali holiday-makers and travellers, tour operators, travel agents, corporate and institutional travel managers, event managers, school tour mangers, tour guides and trekking guides. The Mart will attempt to draw in consumers, who are actively looking for destinations, holidays, leisure activities, hotels and air, coach tickets for the coming Dashain and winter holidays. “Dashain holidays and the school winter break during December-January is the peak season for the Nepali holiday-makers,” it reads, adding that while the event is primarily a consumer event, travel buyers from Nepal and regional travel agents including India, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore are also expected to visit the show in significant numbers.
The NTM 2020 is expected to host about 200 exhibitors, with 7 Pradhesh Pavilions and a one-of-a-kind Tourism Poster Show, which will house  travel destinations, pradhesh tourism authorities, hotels, resorts, tea-houses, home-stays, spa and wellness centers, restaurants and bars, cafes and pubs, pilgrimage sites, heritage sites, national parks, theme  parks, travel agents, tour operators, trekking agencies, rafting agencies, jungle safari and expedition operators, overland motor-cycles mountain biking operators, extreme sports operators, paragliding operators, zip-wire operators, coach and car hire, outdoor adventure gear and sports, mountain bikes, overland vehicles.
The Mart is also expected to feature eight interactive live events including Outdoor Cuisine Show, Travel Film Festival, Rock-climbing Trials, Children Zip-wire Trials, Travel Instagram Challenge, Travel Selfie Contest, Adventure Sports Workshops and Travel Guff Hour. The Mart shall also organise cultural attractions to engage and entertain Nepali travel enthusiasts and business buyers.
The NTM 2020 clearly defines and demonstrates the power of live marketing.

Hoteliers seek government support to sustain

Since the hotels across the country have invested billions as Nepal was observing Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020), they are about to collapse due to restriction on movement because of Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic that has hit almost all the countries around the world.
Thus, Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) – issuing a press note today – has asked the government to immediately bring special policies and relief package to help prevent the hotel sector from collapsing.
The association also said that hotels across the country cannot sustain workers, pay rental charge and electricity tariffs, pay bank loans and different other taxes to the government as they have been shut down since long. “In such a difficult situation, where hotels are fighting for their existence, the government should immediately introduce a special policy to help share liabilities until the situation turns normal,” the press note reads, adding that the tourism sector across the globe has been affected and is not going to be normal until the next few years. “Hotel business relies on tourists and normal international flights are expected only from next January forcing the hotels to be closed until then.
The association has asked the government to focus on special measures to sustain hotel businesses and the workers, instead of continuing with the current tax and labour policies.
As hotels are the backbone of tourism and the tourism sector is the driving force behind Nepal’s economy, the government should immediately introduce special relief measures for hoteliers,” the press note of association reads.

Government formally cancels Visit Nepal Year 2020

The government has formally suspended the much ambitious Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) project in the wake of the Covid-19 global pandemic, though tourism minister had earlier notified informally about suspending the year-long-event till April.
Though the government has a month ago stopped all the promotional activities in and out of the country due to corona pandemic, a Cabinet meeting two weeks ago – on March 22 – has decided to suspend the campaign, according to tourism secretary Keshav Bahadur Adhikari. “I received a notice yesterday regarding the stalling of the project,” he said, adding that the VNY secretariat will also be dissolved on April 13. Twitting the cabinet decision, the secretary confirmed the government move.
Though tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai has been claiming of observing ‘Visit Decade’, in lieu of the Visit Nepal Year plans, the Cabinet has not yet decided anything on the new plan.
The government had announced 2020 as the Visit Nepal Year with an aim of hosting 2 million tourists. But Nepal – like other countries – has gone into a nationwide lockdown, for two weeks starting March 24, to control spreading of the global pandemic that has already claimed around 40,000 lives. The lockdown has been extended until April 7 midnight.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had – on March 1 – instructed Tourism Ministry to postpone the Visit Nepal Year 2020 but the high-level committee for the control and prevention of Covid-19 – led by deputy prime minister Ishwar Pokhrel – decided to halt only the campaign until April, which has led to the confusion among tourism entrepreneurs.
Planned to revitalize tourism industry after the earthquakes of 2015, the VNY2020 campaign was supposed to re-brand tourism, apart from doubling the contribution of tourism in the economy.
Earlier, the Policy and Programmes for the fiscal year 2016-17 announced the launch of Visit Nepal Year 2018, the Tourism Ministry was forced to postpone the 2018 campaign to 2020 due to the slow pace of road and airport upgradation, apart from reconstruction of historical monuments and cultural heritage sites damaged by the devastating earthquake.
Though, a new strain of coronavirus was detected in Wuhan of China, one of the major source countries for Nepal’s tourism, late December, the first case of the virus was reported in Nepal in January. The case was declared recovered.

Government postpones Visit Nepal 2020 promotions abroad

 The government has finally postponed the promotional campaign of Visit Nepal 2020 (VNY2020) due to aggressive spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) across the globe.

Speaking at the Buddhist Chamunda Heritage Walk event today, minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai informed that the government was focused on promoting domestic tourism by postponing the tourism promotional activities overseas until the situation comes under control. “The government took the decision after the coronavirus outbreak that started in China spread to Europe, America, Gulf nations and the East Asian countries,” Bhattarai said, adding that the promotion of the mega tourism campaign has been postponed for a short span of time and will be resumed soon.

“Once the coronavirus epidemic is brought under control, the government will ramp up its tourism campaign promotional activities,” he promised.

The government had – on January 1 – launched the mega tourism campaign Visit Nepal 2020 aiming at hosting 2 million foreign tourists into the country. The government has also allocated Rs 100 million – in current fiscal year 2019-20 – for the campaign, though the coronavirus threat started in January in China. The coronavirus has not posed any threat to Nepal as of now as a 32-year-old Wuhan-returnee – who tested positive over a month ago – recovered from the disease after receiving treatment in quarantine.

The ministry also accepted that the target of bringing in 2 million tourists in the country will be difficult to meet because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Tourist arrivals plunges in January

Tourist arrivals in the first month of the 2020 – the year Nepal is observing as Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) – has dropped by 2 per cent compared to January 2019.
According to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 79,686 tourists entered Nepal in January, down from 81,273 in the same month last year. “Of the total tourists, 65,983 flew into the country whereas remaining 13,703 entered the country through land routes," a press note issued by the board reads.
The government has inaugurated VNY2020 campaign amid much fanfare across the country on January 1 wishing to host 2 million tourist in the year. But January turned into an unfavourable month for the national campaign VNY2020 due to the recent incidents of tourist bus accident, avalanche in Annapurna region, death of Indian tourists and recent announcement of the Chinese government to halt outbound tourist groups, the board explained.
As China is the second largest market, the fall in the number of Chinese tourists is going to affect Nepali tourism industry, chief executive officer (CEO) of NTB Dhananjay Regmi said, adding that the board is postponing all its promotional activities in China for the short-term. “Instead, the board is preparing to add more activities for other countries.”
“Tourism is at the receiving end of coronavirus outbreak in China,” he said, adding that not only has Chinese tourists been affected, the fear of coronavirus has taken over its effect on tourists from India and Europe as well.
Though, Nepal is looking towards new another destinations including Japan, South Korea, and Sri Lanka, among others, as well as in the Middle East, the coronavirus outbreak in Hubei province of China could impact global tourism industry too making the outlook for February also not promising.
“The outlook for February is also not satisfactory, according to the tourism entrepreneurs. “The number is declining in February,” they said, adding that the drop could be even harsh in the second month. “The arrival graph is going down mainly due to drop in tourist numbers from China.”
India, China, the US, Myanmar and Thailand are the top five markets for Nepal as Nepal received 16,882 and 13,303 visitors from India and China, respectively, while it welcomed 6,386 visitors from the US, 4,447 from Myanmar and 4,010 from Thailand in January.
According to the board, some 39.1 per cent of the total tourists that visited Nepal in January were from Asian countries – except SAARC – and 26.9 per cent were from SAARC countries, whereas some 13 per cent of the total visitors were from European countries and 9.2 per cent were from the US. “Some 4.1 per cent of the total tourist, who visited Nepal in January were from Oceania region,” the board added.

PATA Nepal Chapter postpones NICE

The ‘Nepal India China Expo (NICE)’ scheduled initially for February 22-25 has been postponed due to some unfavourable circumstances, and limitations on the travel of Chinese delegates due to the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, according to PATA Nepal Chapter.
 The executive committee meeting of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter held today decided to postpone the event as a matter of precaution to the health and safety of all the delegates and invitees.
“At the moment, we are closely monitoring the ongoing crisis (coronavirus pneumonia) in China, and shall endorse an appropriate future date for NICE once the situation seems controlled and favourable for this historic tri-national tourism expo,” the chair of PATA Nepal Chapter Bibhuti Chand Thakur said, adding that they have requested all its registered delegates, invitees, and stakeholders to stay tuned for further updates from the association.
The National Programme Coordinator of Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) Suraj Vaidya said that NICE is one the top priority event, which shall play an instrumental role for the growth of tourism in Nepal, and we will be working together with PATA for making this a successful event of 2020.
Likewise, PATA Nepal Chapter chief executive Suresh Singh Budal informed that the necessary preparation is almost completed with confirmed participation of 120 buyers and 50 exhibitors however, due to the present unfavourable scenario, the association has decided to organise the event on later dates this year. “It's a high time to come together to show our solidarity for speedy control and recovery of health crisis; meanwhile, we have to take precautions and work together for the possible risk mitigation and crisis management in tourism,” he added.

Nepal launches Visit Nepal 2020 with much fanfare

The country today launched Visit Nepal 2020 lighting the flame of unity.
President Bidya Devi Bhandari after igniting the Flame of Unity to inaugurate the Visit Nepal 2020 – that is going to be observed throughout a year with the slogan ‘Lifetime Experience’ – said that the country has now focused on economy prosperity.
The economy is dependent on tourism but it had been affected by the long civil war and unstable political system, she said, adding that the country has now overcome the political challenges and focused on economic prosperity. “Tourism is the backbone of the country’s economic development.”
Requesting all Nepalis – inside the country and abroad – to be a part of the campaign and make it successful as Nepali culture equated ‘guest with god (Atithi Devo Bhava)’, she said that Nepal has more to offer than just Sagarmatha, Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini.
On the occasion, tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai seconded her saying that Nepal is a unique creation of nature and implored all visitors to come for a lifetime experience. “Nepal is the land of cultural excellence and tourists can visit sacred religious sites and experience our diverse wildlife, flora and fauna,” he said, assuring that the country is moving towards the path of good governance and prosperity. “
Claiming that this year is the starting point to follow the path to mark 2020-30 as the tourism decade, he said, that the target of 2 million tourists in 2020 and the campaign itself is an inadequate for sustainable development of the tourism sector.
The inauguration ceremony of the mega tourism campaign kicked off with chanting of mantras of seven religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Kiratism, Christianity, Jainism and Sikhism – and launching of Viber stickers of VNY2020 and mascot for the campaign, Yeti.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed tourism ministers from India, China, Myanmar and Jamaica. They also extended their good wishes to Nepal for the grand success of the VNY2020 campaign.
Also present at the function were the Chief Justice, the National Assembly Chairman, former Prime Ministers, political party leaders, heads of constitutional bodies, heads of diplomatic missions, members of parliament and ministers and delegates from various countries including tourism ministers.
The VNY2020 was also officially inaugurated in all the seven provinces today including in Biratnagar of Province 1, Janakpur in Province 2, Sauraha, Chitwan in Province 3, Pokhara in Gandaki Province, Thakurdwar, Bardia in Province 5, Bulbul lake in Karnali and Dhangadi in Sudur Paschim Province.
VNY 2020 Secretariat coordinator Suraj Vaidya, on the occasion, said the inaugural ceremony has focused on highlighting Nepal's culture, heritage, costume and lifestyle while promoting tourism in the country.

Tourism ministers of four foreign nations to attend VNY inauguration

Contrary to the ministry’s expectations, tourism ministers from only four countries are expected to take part in the inaugural ceremony of Visit Nepal year 2020 (VNY2020) to be held at Dasharath Stadium on January 1.
Tourism ministers of India, China, Myanmar and Jamaica, along with delegations from seven countries, will attend the inauguration ceremony, according to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. The minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai had earlier said that tourism ministers from 40 countries will be invited for the inauguration ceremony.
“The participation of 20 delegations from tourism bodies of different countries has also been confirmed,” the ministry confirmed, at a press briefing organised in Kathmandu today. “The ministers from India and China will arrive tomorrow, whereas some delegates including high-level government representatives from Qatar, Bhutan and Cambodia have already arrived,”  it said, adding that the government is also set to inaugurate the year-long campaign in seven provinces simultaneously. “The inauguration ceremony will take place at Biratnagar of Province 1, Janaki Temple of Province 2, Sauraha of Province 3, Pokhara of Gandaki Province, Bardiya of Province 5, Surkhet of Karnali Province and Dhangadhi of Sudurpashchim Province.”
The inauguration ceremony in Kathmandu will have cultural performance of different ethnic groups and indigenous nationalities, the ministry said, adding that Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force apart from Nepali artistes will also perform on the occasion that is expected to be participated by some 20,000.
Informing the press, national programme coordinator for the VNY 2020 Suraj Vaidya, said that all preparations for the inauguration ceremony have been completed. “The VNY 2020 will be inaugurated by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, while Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli will make a special address,” he said, adding that the inauguration ceremony will see participation of Vice President, former prime ministers, leaders of different political parties, ministers from provincial governments, members of parliament, and chief of constitutional bodies.
The preparation for the campaign formally kicked off with the setting up of a campaign secretariat in November of 2018, under the coordination of Vaidya. The campaign secretariat also decided to establish promotional centres at all Nepali embassies across the world to promote the campaign jointly with NRNA. “The logo and banners of VNY 2020 were posted on local buses, subways and rail stations in Canada and the UK,” he said, adding that the international celebrities have also been appointed as ambassadors to promote the campaign in different countries. “Around 40 media from across the world are also taking part in the inaugural ceremony of VNY 2020 in Kathmandu.”
He also said that the visit of renowned international personalities in 2019 is also going to play a significant role in 2020. The visit of President of China Xi Jinping and President of Bangladesh Mohammad Abdul Hamid in 2019 is expected to attract more number of tourists from China and Bangladesh in 2020, he added.
Likewise, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) organised the 56th Director Generals of Civil Aviation conference in 2019, which saw the participation of around 400 foreign guests from 46 countries. It has also witnessed representatives from 14 different international organisations associated with International Civil Aviation Organisation, including European Union, Boeing, Airbus and International Air Transport Association, who has taken the message of VNY back home.
Similarly, Nepal has just hosted the South Asian Games 2019, where a large number of international players visited Nepal. The successful SAG has also raised hopes of establishing Nepal as a sports tourism hub in the future
Though, there have been some issues like fake rescue scam, the mountaineering sector is also expected to attract more trekkers and mountaineers. The Department of Tourism (DoT) had issued expedition permits to a total of 868 climbers for 30 different peaks in 2019. Of them, some 381 members from 48 countries had received expedition permits to scale Mt Everest and among them 14 members were from Nepal,” the department informed, adding that nine climbers died while scaling Mt Everest from the Nepal side during the spring season, with the congestion largely blamed for the deaths.
In autumn season, the department issued expedition permits to a total of 1,210 climbers for 51 peaks. Expeditions to five virgin peaks of above 6,000 metres – Panpoche I, Panpoche II, Hunku Chuli, Hongu and Linku Chuli – were also successfully completed in the autumn season, attracting more mountaineers to Nepal.
Apart from the mountaineering, the travel and tourism entrepreneurs have been planning to develop new packages to attract tourists. “Visit Nepal 2020 will give government an opportunity to announce that cities like Pokhara, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Bhairahawa remain open 24/7,” according to them. The Thamel, Tangal, King’s Way and Jhamsikhel in Kathmandu Valley can be developed as nightlife hubs, they said, adding that it is also right time to rebrand Nepal in the international market.

Tourism agencies announce discount offers

As the Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) starts in two days, tourism agencies have announced discount offers to encourage foreigners to prolong their stay in Nepal and also visit frequently.
The VNY2020 being launched with formal programme on January 1 warrants attention and engagement of the people from diverse sectors for its grand success. Tourism ministers from 10 countries and special guests from various 40 countries will take part in the inaugural ceremony of the VNY2020.
Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has decided to provide 30 per cent discount on its services, according to the first vice chair of HAN Binayak Shah.
There are some 2,000 hotels including the luxury star hotels affiliated to HAN, which can accommodate some 2.5 million guests.
Likewise, Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) is also launching promotional activities and providing 20 per cent discount on its service, whereas Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) is going to provide concession of 10 per cent to the service seekers. Similarly, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATA) has offered 10 per cent discount on its services on the occasion of VNY2020. According to NATA president CN Pandey, the customers, who purchase tour packages through NATA-associated travel agencies shall be provided 10 per cent discount in its services. Similarly, Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) president Ganga Prasad Nepal shared that NARA has announced 15 per cent discount for rafting and other water-related adventure sports to the foreign visitors on the occasion.
Likewise, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) is also going to announce some package for the tourists, whereas Homestay Association's president Keshav Badal informed that foreign guests choosing homestay will be offered up to 20 per cent discount on lodging and foods. There are more than 600 homestays being run in 57 districts and are associated with the association.
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter president Bidhutichand Thakur also informed that PATA Nepal Chapter is going to organise various promotional events targeting the VNY2020, one of which is Nepal, India, China Expo ('NICE' event) coming February.
Thamel Development Council is also going to organise various promotional events round the year in 2020.

TIA runway rehabilitation completes before deadline

Giving surprise to Nepalis as not a single project has ever completed in time in Nepal, the rehabilitation of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)'s runway has been completed 128 days ahead of the stipulated deadline.
After completing the project, China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation (AVIC-ENG) – a state-owned enterprise of China – handed over the runway and taxiway of TIA to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) at a ceremony in Kathmandu today. The handing over certificate was signed by project manager of Rehabilitation of Runway and Taxiways Wang Jianxin, team leader of Yooshin Consultant Kyu Choel Choi, project director from CAAN Engineer Murari Bhandari and general manager of TIA Devendra KC.
The rehabilitation of the runway that started on April 1 has been completed in three months on June 30 with Rs 3.75 billion for blacktopping of the runway. The state-owned enterprise of China was awarded the project – a year ago – as it bid the lowest bidder among the four shortlisted firms.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai said that the rehabilitation of the airport will be instrumental for the Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020).
Likewise, director general of CAAN Rajan Pokhrel, on the occasion, said that the situation of the airport has been so bad that aircraft had to be put on hold for a long time or had to be diverted to airports like Lucknow. “But with the contractor completing the project almost five months ahead of the deadline despite challenges like active runway has made the TIA operations easier.”
The TIA started maintenance of the runway following the pressure on safety of air travelers because of the potholes and cracks in only runway.
“Successful completion of the important projects benefits Nepal by improving air connectivity with other countries,” said Chinese ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi, on the occasion. “It will also contribute to improve the tourism industry,” she said adding that the improvement of the airport can accommodate more tourists and attract more travelers into the country and improve travel experience. “The improved transportation and infrastructure development, the country will become popular amongst Chinese tourists.”

TAAN seeks revision of TIMS card pact with tourism board

Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) is seeking to revise the agreement signed with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) regarding distribution of Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card and managing the amount collected from issuing the TIMS cards.
Issuing a white paper today, TAAN said that NTB has not released its share of amount from issuance of TIMS card. “Thus, TAAN is ready to revise the agreement, if needed,” the white paper reads, adding that some 30 per cent of the amount collected from TIMS goes to TAAN’s organisational account, while 30 per cent goes towards NTB’s organisational account. “Likewise, 30 per cent of the amount goes to the joint account of NTB and TAAN, while the remaining 10 per cent is deposited in the workers’ welfare fund.”
“But TAAN has not received the agreed amount for the last five years,” the white paper reads, adding that it has affected tasks like helicopter, medicine, administration expenditure and salary for staff, research and promotion of new destinations. “And the amount that TAAN is seeking from NTB is related to its share of money collected in the joint account of the organisations.”
TIMS was jointly implemented by NTB and TAAN according to the direction of Nepal government from January 1, 2008 to ensure the safety and security of trekkers and also to control illegal trekking operations,” according to the TAAN. “Since then, TAAN has been issuing TIMS cards to group trekkers (GT), while NTB distributes it to free individual trekkers (FIT).”
According to the white paper, TAAN’s demand has not been addressed despite frequent discussions with the concerned authorities. “The TAAN has not received its due share of the amount collected in the joint account since the last five years,” the white paper reads, adding that it has also adversely affected the administration expenses and wages of staffers working at the TIMS collection centre, along with the work of introducing and promoting new trekking routes.
Due to the tug of war between the NTB and TAAN on income from TIMS card, TAAN has also been not able to renew the organisation since past years. It has not been renewed for the last two fiscal years – fiscal year 2018-19 and fiscal year 2019-20. TAAN was last renewed in fiscal year 2017-18. “The auditing of TAAN and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) is done collectively, showing TAAN's earning in millions according to the white paper.
AAN has been – citing the security issues of trekkers – demanding the government to stop distributing trekking permits to individual trekkers. It also showed concern over the country's inability to provide TIMS card through online system.
TAAN is working to provide 20 per cent off to foreign trekkers by its member companies on the occasion of Visit Nepal Year 2020, the white paper reads, adding that it will contribute in welcoming 800,000 tourists to the country during VNY 2020.

Visit Nepal year 2020 will be inaugurated in Dasharath stadium

The government is planning to inaugurate the Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) formally on January 1 as the national festival.
The VNY2020 campaign – with the goal of hosting 2 million tourists in the country – will be inaugurated by the President Bidhya Devi Bhandari at the Dasharath stadium, where Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will also make a special address, confirmed Visit Nepal Year Secretariat.
“The chief ministers of all seven provinces will also be present on the occasion,” it informed, adding that the Visit Nepal Year will be inaugurated at the Nepali Embassy in foreign countries on January 7, while the Visit Nepal 2020 would be inaugurated through Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRN) in the countries, where there is no Nepali mission. “The government has invited tourism ministers and senior delegates of 31 countries on the inaugural ceremony.”
Media persons from some 40 countries – including India, China, Bangladesh, European countries – are also attending the Visit Nepal Year inauguration programme, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation.
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), which is responsible for managing the visit of the journalists, is also planning some fam trips for the foreign media personals.
According to Visit Nepal Year 2020 National Programme Coordinator Suraj Baidya, the Visit Nepal Year inauguration programme will be another big international level programme to be organised in the country after the 13th South Asian Games, which concluded recently. “The secretariat has made all preparations for that purpose,” Baidya said, adding that the final preparations have been completed for the Visit Nepal Year 2020 inauguration. “The government will spend Rs 20 million for the inaugural programme.”
The government has recently approved Rs 617.4 million budget for the Visit Nepal Year campaign.

Kathmandu to restart night buses

Kathmandu Metropolitan City – in coordination with the Department of Transport Management – is once again operating night buses in Kathmandu, though some 8 years ago, it failed to continue the service.
Spokesperson at the metropolis Ishwor Man Dangol confirmed that the metropolis is – after numerous failed attempts – planning to operate night bus also targeting the Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) campaign.
The metropolis and the department – on June 10 – also said that they planned to start bus services before too but could not start. The department had – on the same day – hiked bus fares by 20 per cent without holding any proper discussion with the stakeholders. But the next day, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport ordered rolling back the hiked fare.
But the metropolis is planning to start the night bus service before Visit Nepal Year 2020, Dangol said, adding that it is planning to operate a round the clock inexpensive bus services from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to Central Business District. “In its official gazette – issued on April 12 – the metropolis had directed public transport operators to run vehicles from 5 am to 9 pm between October 18 to February 12, and 5 am to 10 pm between February 13 and October 17 but the order has not been implemented.”
With its Rs 2.5 million and Finance Ministry’s Rs 2 million budget in 2012, the metropolis had operated 16 buses after 8 pm but due to a lack of proper planning, it couldn’t last more than six months.
The transportation sector is led by the private sector.

Nepal calls for tourism and investment promotion

Nepali ambassador to India Nilambar Acharya called for tourism and investment promotion in Nepal and further strengthening of India-Nepal economic relations.
Delivering a keynote speech at the ‘Visit Nepal 2020 Conclave’, organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) under aegis of its India-Nepal Centre / SDC and in association with the Embassy of Nepal, today at Bengaluru in India, he called for promoting tourism to make the Visit Nepal 2020 (VNY2020) a grand success.
Nepal is observing Visit Nepal Year 2020 aiming at hosting 2 million tourists. The conclave hosted the official launch of Nepal’s ‘Visit Nepal 2020 Campaign’ and discussed with key decision-makers’ and stakeholders’ from the government and industry, for positioning ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ to attract the visitors and investments from Southern India to Nepal.
Likewise, the chair of inaugural session former Indian ambassador to Nepal and chairman at the India-Nepal Centre under PHDCCI, K V Rajan highlighted the importance of tourism as a major sector for Nepal, both keeping economic and socio-cultural considerations. “Endowed with favourable natural conditions, the tourism in Nepal is all set to gain new height with Visit Nepal 2020, a meaningful campaign started by Nepal,” he added.
The two sessions and roundtable meeting hosted the voices of the policy-makers from the government and industry in Southern India, where they tried to explore the trade and investment opportunities with focus on tourism in Nepal.
The vision for ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ campaign is grand and reflects Nepal’s unwavering commitment to improving its competitiveness through investment, innovation, infrastructure development, regulatory reforms, new product offering, environment and wildlife conservation, and ensuring greater level of efficiency in service standards with the aim to develop tourism and economy in Nepal. Significantly, the government declared 2020 as the Visit Nepal Year with a goal to achieve 2 million arrivals and daily spending of tourists to over $75.
Remarkably, ‘Visit Nepal 2020 Campaign’ is being positioned as a ‘Lifetime Experience’ in a bid to establish Nepal and one of the world’s most unique experimental and lifetime value destinations. According to the government estimate, in 2018 Nepal received some 11,73,072 international tourists excluding domestic travelers. Among the tourists, the numbers of Indian travels were the highest. Likewise, the share of total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in tourism stood at 11.47 per cent at Rs 23,855.50 million in 2018.
The hospitality sector has shown immense promise with several international hotel chains having already entered or in the process of entering the market.
The Visit Nepal Year 2020 is set to achieve the government agenda to recognise and accelerate the development of the potential of the tourism industry in the years to come even as the government creates ease of doing business for investors’ and stakeholders’ with incentives and subsidy provisions, supportive policies, political stability and sound governance.
On the occasion, PHDCCI – through its 1,30,00 members – and through its counterparts including Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and India (FKCCI), Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC),  India Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of India (TAII) and South India Hotel and Restaurant Association (SIHRA), ensured an outreach to over half-million industry entities.
On the occasion, economic minister at the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi Nita Pokhrel Aryal, economic counselor at the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi Tirtha Poudel, director at the Department of Tourism in Government of Karnataka K N Ramesh, managing director of the Nepal SBI Bank Anukool Bhatnagar, president of the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) C R Janardhana,  president of Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) Devesh Agarwal, chairman of Karnataka State Chapter of India Association of Tour Operators (IATO) S Mahalingaiah, honourary secretary of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Niranjan S Bhargava, and executive director at the Interstate Multi-Modal Transport (Pvt) Ltd Bikas Rauniyar, principal director at the PHDCCI Dr Ranjeet Mehta, and deputy secretary and Nodal Coordinator at the SDC/India-Nepal Centre Atul Kumar Thakur also took active part in the discussions.

PATA Nepal elects new executive committee

The 43rd annual general meeting (AGM) of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter has unanimously elected its new executive committee.
The AGM – with the theme ‘Design Thinking: Creating Lifetime Experiences in Nepal’ – appointed chair of Himalayan Holidays Treks and Tours Bibhuti Chand Thakur as the chairperson of the executive committee, according to a press note issued by PATA Nepal chapter. Thakur succeeds Sunil Sakya, who was elected the chair on December 13, 2017. Sakya will remain in the executive committee as the immediate past chairman.
The annual general meeting elected chief executive officer of Nepal Tourism Board Deepak Raj Joshi as the first vice-chairperson, commercial director at the Nepal Airlines Tanka Nidhi Dahal as the second vice-chairperson, chairperson at the Royal Mountain Travel-Nepal Pvt Ltd Shiva Prasad Dhakal as the general secretary, and chief executive officer at the Global Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Education Khem Raj Lakai as the treasurer, the press note reads, adding that the executive committee comprises four ex officio members including  director general at the Department of Tourism Dandu Raj Ghimire, deputy director at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Rajan Pokharel, corporate director at the Nepal Airlines Krishna Gopal Joshi, and brand manager at the NTB Shradha Shrestha. “Managing director at the Heritage Tours and Travels Narendra Deo Bhatta, managing director at the Mid Valley Int’l College Reetal Rana, general manager at the Turkish Airlines Abdullah Tuncer Kececi, managing director at the Himalaya Kailash Travels and Tours Tashi Gurung, marketing chief at the Summit Air Manjani Shrestha, managing director at the Nepal Vacation Tika Ram Sapkota and managing director at the Hiking Adventure Treks Pvt Ltd Ram Kumar Barakoti are also elected executive committee members.”
Thakur – after being appointed as chair – said that being elected the chairperson is an honour. “PATA Nepal will continue to work in the spirit of PATA headquarters and is also committed to working closely with the government, Ministry of Tourism, Nepal Tourism Board,” he said, adding that he will reach out to work closely with all the tourism-related associations and private sectors.
During the annual general meeting, PATA Nepal chapter also elected six proxy members to its executive committee including founder at the Luxury DMC Travels Lakpa Phuti Sherpa, CEO at the Premier Hotel School Sunil Kumar Bhusal, CEO at the Going Nepal Lila Dhar Bhandari, president at the SDU Travels Sanjay Bhakta Mathema, MD at the Nepal Kaze Travels Prithbi Shrestha, and MD at the Himalayan Smile Treks and Adventures Kul Prasad Subedi.
Addressing the annual general meeting, CEO at the PATA headquarters Mario Hardy congratulated PATA Nepal for its active engagement in the country, while keynote speaker chief Hothead at the HotHead Innovations Stu Lloyd highlighted the ‘Design Thinking’ approaches to be adopted by travel and tourism industry professionals of public and private sectors to welcome visitors with the best possible products and services that Nepal can offer to create lifetime experiences for all their guests.
On the occasion, the National Programme Coordinator of Visit Nepal 2020 Suraj Vaidya congratulated the newly elected executive committee and extended his gratitude to PATA for the continued collaboration and partnership with VNY 2020 campaign.
Likewise, PATA Personality of the Year 2019 Award was presented to executive chairman of Everest Express Tours and Travels Rabindra Raj Pandey, on the occasion. The Best Student Chapter of the Year 2019 was awarded to Mid Valley International College, and PATA Nepal also handed out the letter of appreciation to two individuals; Mina Khadka, who just retired from PATA Nepal Secretariat after 23 years of service and Nisha Bhote, a member at PATA Nepal, Student Chapter, who successfully reached the summit of Mt Everest.

CAN Info-Tech 2020 in February

CAN Info-Tech 2020 is going to be held in the capital in February next year.
Organising a press meet in the capital today, the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) informed that the biggest gala of information, communications and technology (ICT) is scheduled to be held at Brikuti Mandap on February 14-19 with an aim of promoting the use and development of information, communication and technology in the country.
General Secretary of CAN Narayan Thapa, on the occasion, said that the 2020 version of CAN Info-Tech will focus on creating awareness on ICT, explore the needs of industries and entrepreneurs and provide necessary supports related to ICT.
According to CAN, the technology gala will be organised in all the seven provinces – at Itahari of Province 1, Bigunj of Province 2 and Chitwan of Province 3, Pokhara of Gandaki Province, Butwal of Province 5, Surkhet of Karnali and Dhangadi of Sudur Paschim Provinceas the provincial version.
Newly elected president of CAN Nawaraj Kunwar, on the occasion, informed that an international level infotech will be organised in the near future in view of the Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020).

XcelTrip launches in Nepal

An online travel aggregator (OTA) XcelTrip has launched its operations in Nepal.
XcelTrip LLC – a multinational company based in the US – launched its Nepal venture amid a function in Kathmandu today. “We have already begun the process of on boarding hotels and airlines in Nepal,” the company claimed, adding that XceTrip will provide full customer and vendor service to both consumers and hotels. “XcelTrip Nepal has partnered with eSewa, Softwarica College of IT and E-commerce, Himalayan Bank and Kumari Bank, among others.”
Meanwhile, XcelTrip Nepal has been declared as official OTA partner of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) for Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) campaign.
“Our vision is to see Nepal on the top 10 global travel destination, and drive inbound travel and economic growth in Nepal by leveraging the power of technology and tourism,” founder and chief executive of XcelTrip Gyanendra Khadka said, adding that one of the company’s main objectives is to attract millions of travelers to Nepal from around the world to supplement effort made by the government to bring in two million tourists during Visit Nepal Year 2020. “XcelTrip Nepal is an online hotel and airlines booking website.”
According to the company officials, it charges zero per cent commission to help hotels and fight to gain higher profit, disrupting monopoly of certain global players. “Another significant aspect of XcelTrip Nepal is that a Nepali national can book international hotels and flight tickets using domestic Visa and Master cards issued by Nepali banks and through eSewa," the company said in a press note.

Pokhara street festival to start on December 28

Restaurant and Bar Association-Pokhara (Reban-Pokhara) is organising the 21st road festival at Pokhara’s popular tourism hub at Lakeside from December 28 to January 1.
Sharing the festival slogan ‘Let us enjoy street food and festival of Pokhara’, at a press conference today, the Reban said that this year’s street festival is to be organised coinciding with the government-announced Nepal Visit Year 2020 (VNY2020). A team of Reban also reached Chitwan, Itahari and Janakpur for wider publicity of Pokhara street festival, according to the organiser.
According to festival co-convener Naresh Bhattarai, the festival is being organised with an estimated cost of Rs 7 million while it is expected to earn Rs 8.5 million. “Main attractions of the festival will be national and international cultural programmes, and stage shows,” he said, adding that there will also be exhibition of handicraft, entertaining sports programme, adventurous tourism events, documentary screening, children’s park and performance of various artistes. “Visitors from across the country and Lucknow and Gorakhpur from India are expected to visit the festival.”

France urged to encourage private sector to invest in Nepal

Nepal requested France to encourage its private sector to explore opportunities in the Nepali market given the political stability, policy and institutional reforms and a business-friendly environment lately.
During the first Bilateral Consultation Mechanism held in Kathmandu today, the French side also stressed on the need to enhance Nepal’s competitive edge, including through branding its organic products. The meeting also agreed to provide cooperation towards making the Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) a success.
The Bilateral Consultation Mechanism – at the foreign ministry level – has been formed to reviewing the bilateral relations and sharing views on regional and international issues of common interest on a regular basis between Nepal and France. The joint secretary of Foreign Ministry Nirmal Raj Kafle and ambassador of France to Nepal Francois Xavier Leger signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), on behalf of their respective governments, in Kathmandu this morning, to form the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism. On the occasion, foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and the Nepali and French delegates to the first meeting of the mechanism were present. The foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and director for Asia and Oceania of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Thierry Mathou led their respective delegations to the meeting.
During the meeting, the two sides also took stock of all aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on further promoting cooperation between the two countries. They also shared views on the importance of continuing the exchange of high level visits, in the context of the successful visit of the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to France this June.
The two sides, on the occasion, also discussed the various ways and means of enhancing economic partnership, including in the areas of trade, tourism and investment, and promoting people-to-people contacts. “They discussed on matters of regional and international importance during the meeting,” a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry reads. “The two ministries agreed to further engage in several issues of common interest such as Climate Change and the UN Peacekeeping,” it reads, adding that France will positively consider its meaningful participation in Sagarmatha Sambaad – international dialogue dedicated to important issues of Climate Change and its effects on mountains – going to be organised by Nepal.
Prior to the meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, director Mathou paid a courtesy call on Gyawali at the latter’s office..

World Bank projects 6.5 per cent economic growth

The World Bank projects continued strong growth with an average annual rate of 6.5 per cent – in the medium term – driven by investments in the tourism sector, particularly the Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) programme, including efforts to increase air connectivity.
High tourist arrivals will be supported by the Visit Nepal Year 2020 programme, the completion of the second international airport, the construction of big hotels and the increase in air connectivity through implementation of the newly-revised air service agreements with countries like Australia, Cambodia, China, the UAE and Vietnam, the update noted.
The 6.5 per cent growth forecast by the multilateral development partner – in fiscal year 2019-20 – is sharply lower than the 8.5 per cent economic growth target of the government for the current fiscal year.
Launching Nepal Development Update today, the World Bank claimed that industrial growth is likely to be supported by construction activities, investments in the cement and hydropower sectors, and improved capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector.
The report also notes that import growth will slow down as the government implements its programme to keep the fiscal deficit in check. “It should help contain the trade deficit,” the report reads adding that inflation is expected to pick up slightly but will remain below 5 per cent assuming stable agricultural production, regular supply of electricity, and low inflation in India. “The focus going forward will need to be on strengthening exports.”
“Increased exports will be critical to sustained growth over the medium-term,” said World Bank senior economist Dr Kene Ezemenari, who led the team that produced the update. “It will be important for government to continue with reforms to attract foreign investment,” she said, adding that future reforms will need to be grounded in strong analysis and data to effectively support Nepal’s growth aspirations.
On the supply side, according to the report, the growth will continue to be driven by private investment and government consumption. “Government consumption will be supported by increased spending on salaries and on goods and services,” the report reads, adding that efforts, in addition, aimed at building capacity at the sub-national levels coupled with the implementation of performance-based contracts is also likely to raise government spending.
The Nepal Development Update – a bi-annual report of the World Bank – highlights the importance of data for development, particularly in the context of the country’s historic transition to federalism. Federalism has created a surge in demand for more and better data. Enhanced data availability is needed to strengthen planning and budgeting at the sub national levels, including the preparation of Medium-Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEF).
In addition, the transfer of fiscal resources to sub national levels also requires data on several parameters. A robust federal framework therefore rests on more and better data that will support evidence-based policies.
“The need for Nepal is data that is disaggregated, more frequent, reliable and accessible,” finance minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada said. “Nepal’s federal structure has added another dimension for data at the provincial level, which is a challenge but very important for development programmes to leave no one behind,” he said, adding that the Statistics Act, which is to be approved soon, is expected to further empower the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and provide added responsibility to sub national governments on data for national policy making.
In its Special Focus section, the report articulates a vision for a future data ecosystem and the need for short-term reforms to make the most of existing data and long-term reforms that establish an enabling environment that fosters data sharing, integration and use. Measures that can be implemented in the short-term include the publication of data in machine readable format, and the development of a comprehensive data dissemination policy and open government strategy.
“Data is central to the success of federalism,” World Bank Country Manager for Nepal Faris Hadad-Zervos said. “Nepal needs a vision and strategy for a future data ecosystem that is aligned to the new federal structure and promotes engagement of civil society and the private sector,” he said, adding that engaging all data actors – including civil society, the private sector and government agencies at various levels – can play a greater role in data production, sharing and use. “This will help in the design of reforms for better service delivery to citizens and an improved business and investment climate.”
In Nepal, the World Bank Group (WBG) includes the International Development Association (IDA), the concessionary lending arm; the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm; and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the investment risk insurance arm.
The World Bank currently supports 25 active investment projects in Nepal with $2.4 billion dollars in commitments from IDA. The indicative resources available under IDA18 (fiscal year 2018-20) were about $1.39 billion, including $300 million from the IDA Risk Mitigation Regime. IFC aims to commit about $800 million to $1.2 billion over the five-year period (fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2023). MIGA is actively seeking opportunities to support foreign private investment into Nepal. IFC and MIGA may make use of the IDA IFC/MIGA Private Sector Window (PSW) and the MIGA Guarantee Facility to underwrite eligible projects.
The World Bank Group (WBG) fielded its first economic mission to Nepal in 1963 to assess the country’s development prospects and challenges. It approved its first credit in 1969 for a telecommunications project. Since then, the World Bank has provided Nepal $4.75 billion in assistance, some $3.48 billion in credits and $1.27 billion in grants.